Coleus Houseplant
Coleus are very popular plants for container gardening and hanging baskets
for outdoors or as indoor houseplants. They also look great planted directly
in the garden in groups or as borders.What attracts most of us to Coleus
is not it's flower, but the colorful leaves.
These tender annuals can be grown from seed or cuttings. They like sunshine,
but tolerate shade very well, making them a great indoor houseplant.They
also need and rich, soft soil that drains well.
Propagation:
Coleus is grown from seed or cuttings. When growing from seed, spread thinly
and cover lightly with soil. Then water lightly. They will germinate and
grow rapidly if the soil temperature is kept at 70 degrees or higher.
Taking cuttings is also easy. If you like a neighbor or a friends' Coleus
plant, ask them if you can take a cutting or two. Place the cuttings in soft,
rich soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet at all times. Covering them with
glass or plastic will raise the humidity and help them to root.
Care and Maintenance:
Coleus thrives in full sunshine. They will tolerate partial shade and to
some degree full shade. However, leaf drop is common if they do not get enough
sunlight, and especially if they are moved from an area of full sun to shade
without an adjustment period.
Coleus likes loose and rich soil which drains well. Use plenty of peat moss
and other loose medium whether growing in containers or directly in the garden.
Add a general fertilizer regularly. If growing indoors, use a liquid fertilizer
every one to two weeks.
If planting in your flowerbed, space plants one foot apart.
Coleus prefers well drained soil. The soil not be allowed to dry out. While
many plants will wilt and recover, these delicate plants, will wilt and quickly
die. Make sure that any containers you sue has holes in the bottom for drainage.
Coleus is very susceptible to frost. If you are planning to bring them indoors,
do so well before the first frost. In the spring, make sure to leave them
indoors until all danger of frost is past.
When bringing Coleus into and indoor environment, Leaf drop can occur.
Find out How to avoid Leaf Drop.
More Information:
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